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Winners and losers in NBA trades

Thunder beat writer John Rohde looks at NBA trades this season and declares winners and losers.

By John Rohde •
Modified: March 19, 2011 at 8:24 pm •
Published: March 19, 2011

The intent of every trade is to get better, to win. This is why the best trades are a win-win.

Sometimes that comes with simple addition. Sometimes that comes with addition by subtraction.

Oklahoma City's Serge Ibaka (9) and Kendrick Perkins (5) wait to check in during an NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Charlotte Bobcats at the Oklahoma City Arena, Friday, March 18, 2011. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman

Every trade doesn’t have to have a loser, but there always has to be a winner.

If Team A gets rid of a player it doesn’t want, but ends up with a Teams B player who is even worse, that’s a win for Team B, which got rid of the deal’s worst player.

It’s the worst of both worlds, but somebody is better off, right?

Think about it. Have you ever heard of a lose-lose trade? That would mean both teams somehow got worse.

How is that even possible, although Rashard Lewis for Gilbert Arenas does come to mind. Hello, Orlando-Washington.

* Thunder: Though Perkins has played just three games since recovering from a sprained left knee, his presence literally and figuratively has given the Thunder a scowl. OKC is 3-0 with Perkins in the starting lineup. Verdict: WINNER

* Cavaliers: This trade is a potential loser-loser. It’s all part of Cleveland’s grand scheme to dump, draft, trade and rebuild, a la the Thunder. Check back in three or four years, but for now … Verdict: WINNER

* Clippers: Davis said he liked being teammates with Blake Griffin and the Clippers seemed to be figuring things out. If a grumpy Davis is happy, why mess with the mojo? Verdict: LOSER

* Rockets: Houston dumps an often selfish Brooks, who will be looking for a big contract after a new collective bargaining agreement is in place, and takes a chance with the 7-foot-3 Thabeet. Verdict: WINNER

* Phoenix: Dragic was being mentored by the great Steve Nash and appeared to be a good student, although inconsistent at times.